The Next Chapter of Pediatric Infections: The Risks of Vaccine Hesitancy and Alternative Schedules with Adam Ratner, MD

JOWMA (Jewish Orthodox Women's Medical Association) Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Ratner, MD, a leading expert in pediatric infectious diseases, to discuss the current landscape of vaccine-preventable diseases in children. With the resurgence of illnesses we once thought were eradicated—like polio and measles—Dr. Ratner unpacks why these diseases are making a comeback and what we can expect in the coming years.

We also explore the evolution of vaccine skepticism, addressing common concerns from parents, including long-term vaccine safety and misconceptions about additives and preservatives. Dr. Ratner shares insights from his work, including his book on measles, and explains why following the recommended vaccine schedule is critical for public health.

Tune in for a fact-based, expert-led discussion that separates myth from medicine when it comes to protecting children from infectious diseases.

Adam Ratner, MD, MPH is a Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and Bellevue Hospital Center. Having cared for many patients during both the 2018-2019 measles outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, he has a particular interest in vaccine-preventable diseases that impact children and their families. Currently, Dr. Ratner is a member of the Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an associate editor at the journalClinical Infectious Diseases, and an editor of the textbookPrinciples and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter and tries to spend as much time as possible within arm’s reach of his dog.

Dr. Ratner’s first book,Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children’s Health, will be published byAvery Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in February 2025.

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